Storm knock out power for thousands

Updated 11:16 pm, Friday, August 10, 2012

Southwestern Connecticut is getting hammered with blinding rain and wind as severe thunderstorms sweep through the region, hampering visibility and causing flooding and power outages.

Media: Connecticut Post

Heavy rain and wind carried by severe thunderstorms hammered areas along the Connecticut shore for more than two hours Friday afternoon, causing widespread flooding and knocking out power to thousands.

A tornado watch for most of the state expired at 5:45 p.m.

The round of storms kept emergency crews in Fairfield County busy throughout the afternoon.

In Fairfield, a rescue boat was sent to Chambers Street just before 3 p.m. because of severe flooding there. There were also reports of a car submerged in the Round Hill Road underpass.

Police and firefighters in Bridgeport and Stratford dealt with similar problems.

United Illuminating reported at about 2:40 p.m. there were 5,360 outages in its coverage area, including 2,012 in Shelton and 989 in Fairfield. The company said outages in Fairfield were to be restored by about 5 p.m. Connecticut Light & Power reported only scattered outages, including 73 in Wilton and 66 in Stamford.

Rain began falling throughout the region just after 1:30 p.m., accompanied by wind gusts that initially caused scattered problems.

Police and firefighters in Fairfield responded just after 1:30 p.m. to a report of wires coming down on a car in front of Whole Foods at Grasmere Avenue and Kings Highway.

Crews from UI were being called to the scene, and police were expected to shut down a portion of Grasmere Avenue.

It wasn't immediately clear whether anyone was injured in the incident.

WTNH meteorologist Gil Simmons says more rain may be on the way on Saturday and Sunday, before the skies clear up at the start of next week.

Here is the rest of Simmons' forecast:

Saturday: Not a washout, but have a tent or indoor backup plan in place. Early fog. A few showers and thunder likely for the midmorning-early afternoon. Eastern areas may hold shower/storm longer. Very humid. Highs 82-86.

Sunday: Early clouds and a shower, then clearing. Sun and clouds and nicer for the afternoon. A little less humid. Highs in the 80s.

Monday: Fair weather. Highs in the 80s.

Tuesday: Sun and clouds. A bit more humid. A few evening showers and at night. Highs in the 80s.